Österreichisches Sattlermuseum

About the museum

For more than 200 years, the Wieser family ran a saddlery in the town center of Hofkirchen im Traunkreis, working together with the neighboring forge and wheelwright's workshop. In 1966 the workshop moved to the house where the museum is located today. When Josef Wieser fell ill in 1970 and gave up the trade, his son carefully preserved the inventory.

From 1997 Josef Wieser Jr. expanded the collection; the small museum workshop grew into the Österreichisches Sattlermuseum, which opened to visitors in 2005. A specialist library on saddlery and leatherwork has existed since 2009, and in 2013 an association was founded as the museum's sponsor. In 2021 the display depot "Bibliothek der Dinge" (Library of Things) opened with around 6,000 objects that visitors can see on every guided tour.

The collection includes saddles, horse collars, machines, tools, documents, photos, account books and guild inventory, mostly on loan or donated by the Wieser family. The current permanent exhibition "die sattlernaht – verbindet Generationen" shows the variety of leather products and the importance of the seam. Two authentic demonstration workshops of a saddler and a shoemaker complement the offering, along with the Lederakademie (leather academy) with courses, programs for children and school groups, and leather craftsmen's gatherings.

Highlights

• Two demonstration workshops: saddler and shoemaker
• Display depot "Bibliothek der Dinge" with around 6,000 objects
• Permanent exhibition "die sattlernaht"
• Lederakademie (leather academy) with workshops
• Specialist library on leatherwork

Permanent exhibitions

• die sattlernaht – verbindet Generationen – The new permanent exhibition explores the variety of leather products and the seam as a mark of quality and craftsmanship.
• Schaudepot „Bibliothek der Dinge“ – Around 6,000 tools, small machines, certificates, documents and photos that can be viewed on every guided tour.
• Schauwerkstätten von Sattler und Schuster – Two authentic workshops offer insight into the work environment and craft of both trades.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Verein Freunde des Österreichischen Sattlermuseums und des Lederhandwerks

Admission & discounts

All prices include a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour. With the museum ticket you also receive a ticket for 15 museums in the Eisenwurzen region.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children aged 9 to 12 learn about saddlery at four stations, make a leather bracelet and solve a puzzle rally; children's birthday parties and school classes are possible (school program €14 per child, about 2.5 hours with a break).

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Ipfmühlstraße 15, 4492 Hofkirchen im Traunkreis. The website does not provide information on parking or public transport.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit